otay mesa

The Otay Mesa is located in the southern end of San Diego County directly bordering Mexico (from some of the launches you directly overlook Tijuana).  Since the area is right on the border, the area is full of US Border Agents and their equipment--the bonus is that there are well graded and paved roads to all of the launches.  This area tends to work best with winds from the south, but there is also some smaller training hills that are more west facing.

Local Weather

Brown Field

Located approximately 5 miles West

Site Description--Under Construction

Due to the maze-like nature of the roads criss-crossing the site, I'm working on finding the proper maps to show the launches. 

Cautions: Mexico is south over the steel fence that borders the LZ. Do not land in Mexico. Leave the area before dark to avoid possible illegal border activities. Watch for military aircraft using the area for training flights.

There are several different launches: 

Training Hills:  200' training hill facing NW, a 300' training hill facing WSW

Lower Launch: Cliff launch, faces West, rated intermediate Altitude & Descent: 1530' MSL, vertical descent 900'

Middle Launch: Slope launch, faces South, rated novice Altitude & Descent: 1570' MSL, vertical descent 920'

Upper Launch: Slope launch, faces SW, rated intermediate Altitude & Descent: 2200' MSL, vertical descent 1570'

Driving Directions: SE of San Diego near US/Mexico border. Take Hwy 905 east from I-5 or I-805 past Brown Field to Otay Mesa Rd. east to Alta Rd. north.